The Frankfurt business community is focusing on artificial intelligence and sustainability: These two topics of the future took centre stage at the summer reception hosted by the city and the Economic Development Agency at Deutsche Bank Park. Several hundred guests from companies, associations and politics accepted the invitation on Thursday evening. Fifteen years after its premiere, the meeting has established itself as a fixed date in Frankfurt's economic calendar and traditionally offers space for exchange, networking and discussions on current developments.
Welcoming speeches and opening remarks
In her welcoming speech, Stephanie Wüst, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, highlighted key successes of recent years and emphasised Frankfurt's role as an international economic metropolis. Projects such as the newly designed Start-up Award, the Games Hub and the Frankfurt Forward platform are designed to showcase the city's innovative strength and promote networking between start-ups, industry and politics. City Council Chair Hilime Arslaner welcomed the guests before Bernhard Grieb, the new Managing Director of Economic Development, presented his first impressions and ideas for the future strategic direction of the company.
Keynote speech on the dual role of sustainability and AI
The keynote speech by Gerald Podobnik, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Bank for Investment and Corporate Banking and ESG, set the tone for the event. Under the title "Sustainable Finance & AI – Dynamic Duo or Double Trouble?", he spoke about the opportunities and risks of these two mega-topics. Sustainability and artificial intelligence are not just buzzwords, but key factors for competitiveness and location attractiveness. Podobnik called on companies to take decisive action on these issues and integrate them into their business models.
Companies and sponsors
The event was accompanied by presentations from numerous partners and sponsors, including Capital Group, Lucid Motors, Deutsche Dienstrad, Frankfurter Sparkasse, RoboMarkets and Binding. The christening of a hot-air balloon named "Winds of Frankfurt" by Wüst was symbolic. The balloon bears the Capital Group logo and will represent the city from afar in the future.
Platform for exchange
Wüst described the reception as much more than a social tradition: "Frankfurt measures itself internationally as an economic metropolis – and that is precisely where our opportunity lies, but also our responsibility." The topic of artificial intelligence in particular shows how important it is to integrate future technologies at an early stage and make them usable. The summer reception serves as a source of inspiration and a place where ideas take shape.
Grieb emphasised the city's economic strength despite global uncertainties: "Many companies are already relying on digital technologies and AI to become more innovative and sustainable – an encouraging sign." The task of economic development is to support this momentum, expand networks and further raise Frankfurt's profile as a location for process and service innovations.
A look ahead
The evening thus offered not only an opportunity for discussion, but also an outlook on the direction in which Frankfurt's economy wants to develop: internationally networked, technologically advanced and committed to the principle of sustainability. The fact that there is also room for symbolic gestures such as the balloon christening shows that economic seriousness and light-heartedness can be combined well in the Frankfurt summer.
